Del Mar school board ready to wrap up McClain case

At its Dec. 12 special meeting, the Del Mar Union School District board issued a statement on the lawsuit with former Superintendent Sharon McClain.

“Should Dr. McClain choose not to appeal the court’s decision, this board is ready to put this case behind us,” said President Scott Wooden on behalf of the board.

According to the Superior Court’s judgement, McClain is to be rewarded the lost salary and lost tax shelter annuity payments, a net damages award of $154,916.37. The judgement also says she is to receive $45,142 in interest and $18,669 in costs, but Superintendent Holly McClurg said the district is still waiting “for final word regarding the total amount that Dr. McClain is owed and how much the district will pay.” Any payment directly from the district would come out of the general fund, McClurg said.

McClain’s attorney Dale Gronemeier said that they have not decided on whether to appeal, but that the board’s position has been articulated to McClain.

“That offer has been communicated to me by the district’s attorney and we’re currently discussing that subject,” Gronemeier said. “Settlement negotiations are best not talked about.”

McClain was fired in an open session meeting on March 13, 2010 with cause, although the reason was not stated publicly because it was a personnel matter and could not be discussed.